Since last couple of years I've started experiencing pretty severe cutting pains in the left eyebrow region on plane landing. The strange thing is that it doesn't happen every time. I think it's like 50/50. One time it hurts like hell and the other time it's nothing at all.

A week ago I had it very bad on my way to a vacation. It hurt for 2 days after we landed. And on the way back it didn't hurt at all.

So I guess there must be some factors that affect this and some ways to prevent or at least minimize the probability and severity of the pain. I've heard that this could be related to stuffed nose. So, even though I had no noticeable cold, I tried to blow my nose when the plane started descending on the way back and that might be what helped. But it's hard to tell for sure since, as mentioned above, it didn't happen on every landing anyway. Maybe it just depends on the landing "style" (speed, etc.) and there's nothing I can do about it.

I would say it sounds like a sinus issue. I would see a doctor.
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GinaminSep 23 '11 at 6:33

1

I don't think this is travel specific. You're better off asking on a health forum. I always seem to suffer from peeling skin on my fingers and palms when I travel but haven't asked about it here for the same reason.
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hippietrailSep 23 '11 at 14:26

2

I had a similar pain when I flew with full sinuses. I find it's worse with short hops because the planes climb and descend much faster. In this case, it was ONT/PHX. In the US, Vicks Nasal Inhaler can help clear sinuses enough to get through the landing.
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mkennedySep 23 '11 at 15:36

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hippietrail: I've never ever had these pains except for planes descending. And I don't own a plane, so I don't use planes for anything else but travel. That's why I'm asking here.
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Alan MendelevichSep 24 '11 at 7:28

Cabin Pressurisation

This issue is most probably related to the increase of cabin pressure as the altitude of the plane decreases. This inevitably causes an increase of the pressure of the air trapped inside the inner ear and sinuses, which cause the squeezing, pushing, piercing sensation you mention. Various techniques exist allowing you to equalise the pressure in the inner ear and sinuses.

Yawning or Swallowing

As soon as the first signs of pressure-related discomfort in the inner ear and sinuses arise, you should try yawning or swallowing. Both movements contribute to a slight opening of the Eustachian tube, which can help in releasing pressure in the inner-ear and sinuses.

Marcante-Odaglia or Frenzel Manoeuvre

One valid, and safer, alternative to Valsalva is the Frenzel Manoeuvre. This is performed as follows:

Pinch your nose

Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth

Swallow

The Frenzel manoeuvre is safer than Valsalva because it does not cause the same large increase of intraocular pressure. Moreover, this manoeuvre does not inhibit the venous return to the heart, which is the main cause of the cardiac problems related to the Valsalva manoeuvre.

It's also not a mysterious phenomenon at all. In particular the problem arises in scuba diving and has been solved*. No need to resort to folk remedies like gum and blowing your nose, the cause is known and the solutions are well documented.

Briefly: when a plane lands cabin pressure increases. The tubes that connect your sinuses to your nose and throat can be clogged, resulting in sub-atmospheric pressure in your sinuses, which is what causes the pain. If you can unclog the tubes (even momentarily) or force air through them the pain will go away.

*scuba divers routinely experience pressure increases of several atmospheres, since a 10 meter dive under water increases pressure by one atmosphere (note that a landing plane can never experience a pressure increase in excess of 1 atm).